All You Need To Know About Brexit Or The British EU Membership Referendum

On 23 June 2016, an event of historic proportions will occur. The people of the United Kingdom (UK) will vote on whether their country should leave or remain in the European Union (EU). Millions of people will vote in this historic referendum which will, regardless of its outcome, impact European politics and the global economy. The Logical Indian attempts to explain in simple terms the EU referendum.

1. What is a referendum?
A referendum is a vote by the citizens of a nation on a single question which has been directed to them for decision. It is also called a plebiscite.

2. What is the EU membership referendum?
Popularly known as the vote on “Brexit”, the UK EU membership referendum is a plebiscite on the question of whether the UK should continue its membership in the EU. It will take place on 23 June 2016 with the official question being “Should the United Kingdom remain a member of the European Union or leave the European Union?”

3. What is the European Union?
Throughout history, European countries were always at war with each other. After the Second World War, Europe was in ruins, its economy in shambles, and its political authority in the world diminished. European countries realised that to survive in the post-War world with stability and relevance they could not afford more wars. For this, they had to find a way to come together and resolve differences. This led to the formation of the EU. In the historic Schuman Declaration of 1950, European leaders declared that peace can be achieved only through economic integration. Basically, countries that traded with each other would be less likely to fight with each other. The EU was initially known as the European Economic Community (EEC). The Maastricht Treaty of 1993 established the EU in its current form. The EU has greatly expanded since its inception in the 1950s when it had only 6 member States. The Union particularly enlarged after the end of the Cold War when the former communist-ruled countries of Eastern Europe joined it.

4. Britain and the EU
The UK declined to join the EU as a founding member. However, in spite of a veto on British membership by then French President Charles de Gaulle in 1961, Britain finally joined the EU in 1973.

5. Why is Britain having a referendum on EU membership?
It is important to note that this is not the first time a Brexit plebiscite is taking place. A British referendum in 1975 regarding EU membership resulted in 67% of the British people approving UK’s EU membership. As to why a referendum will be held in 2016, the simple answer would be that British Prime Minister David Cameron promised one when he ran for re-election in 2015. However, the more explanatory answer is the rise of Euroscepticism in the UK.

6. What is Euroscepticism?
Euroscepticism is opposition to the EU and the notion that integration with a multinational politico-economic union weakens a member State. Euroscepticism is neither a new ideology nor is it limited to the UK. However, it has seen more popularity in recent years due to various issues which will be described later in this article. In Britain, its unique history in the EU – mainly revolving around its late membership – has meant that politically Europeanism and Euroscepticism have never been predictable ideologies. For example, Britain’s Left (mainly the Labour Party) was initially opposed to Britain joining the EU. 1973 saw ugly splits in the Labour Party over this very issue. Today, however, Labour is one of the strongest voices for Britain staying in the EU. The Conservative Party has many Eurosceptic elements; nearly half of Conservative MPs have publicly
declared their support for Brexit. The debate has threatened Party unity under David Cameron – who remains convinced that a vote to Leave would be “the gamble of the century”. Much of British Euroscepticism stems from nationalism, opposition to the EU’s immigration policies and British contribution to the EU budget.

7. What are the main issues revolving around Brexit?
The issues revolving around Brexit are numerous and onerous. Below are the three major issues involved:

Immigration: One of the founding principles of the EU is free movement for European citizens between EU member States. The increase in migration into the UK is a controversial topic. Pro-EU parties cite evidence for the positive economic benefits of immigration while anti-EU parties argue that immigrants take away local jobs and hurt individual wages.

Sovereignty: The primary slogan of the Leave campaign is “Take Back Control”. The relevance of EU laws over British ones and decreased national autonomy are the main talking points of the Leave campaign while the Stay campaign has advocated Europeanism and oneness. Conservative and pro-EU MP Kenneth Clarke famously wrote: “I look forward to the day when the Westminster Parliament is just a Council Chamber in Europe.”

8. The arguments for and against Brexit in a gist:
The Economist argued that a vote to leave the EU would diminish both Britain and Europe, writing that “A vote [in favour of Brexit] would do grave and lasting harm to the politics and economy of Britain. The loss of one of the EU’s biggest members would gouge a deep wound in the rest of Europe. And, with the likes of Donald Trump and Marine Le Pen fuelling economic nationalism and xenophobia, it would mark a defeat for the liberal order that has underpinned the West’s prosperity.” Economist David Malpass contended that “The European Union is too big and is
sinking. The EU is just too big. It’s too expensive. It doesn’t work … They haven’t even made progress on their mission, which was fiscal responsibility, banking reforms, defending the external borders. They’re just not doing the job. These opportunities come along once in a generation where people actually get to vote on what they want.”

9. Brexit and Europe.
The short-term effects of a vote in favour of Brexit (which, taking into account current opinion polling, is likely to happen) are bound to have negative implications on British and world economy. Even the Leave campaign accepts that in the aftermath of Britain leaving the EU, jobs would be affected and trade with the rest of Europe would be hit. However, the long-term impact of
Brexit is difficult to predict.

10. Brexit and India.
As far as India is concerned, it is incontrovertible that the outcome of the 23 June referendum will affect the fastest growing economy in the world which also happens to be one of the EU’s biggest trading partners. Some analysts say that Britain leaving the EU could set the stage for a Free Trade Agreement between Britain and India. Indian companies are the third largest source of foreign direct investment for the UK and the FICCI has warned about “considerable uncertainty for Indian businesses” and “adverse impact on investment” if Brexit were to occur. British Indians are the single largest ethnic minority population in Britain, and the 1.4 million-strong community will no doubt be affected by the vote. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has spoken in favour of Britain remaining in the EU, calling the UK India’s “gateway to Europe” and affirming that “India always
stands in support of a strong and united Europe.”

Conclusion:
The implications of the EU membership referendum will undoubtedly affect European politics and the global economy. The nature of this effect only time can tell; presently, it can only be predicted with varying levels of certainty. For now, all eyes are on Britain as the British people vote on this crucial issue on 23 June 2016.

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Know Why This Small Town In Tamil Nadu Is In The Guinness Book Of World Records

Did you know there is a town at the southern tip of India that can be called ‘Heaven on Earth’. Its people realise the importance of keeping the environment clean.

Madukkarai Panchayat in Coimbatore district, Tamil Nadu, is the cleanest place in India, owing to around 50 women who wake up every day to collect waste from each and every household in the town. At 6 AM, the women set out to work with their green jackets on, hands covered in gloves and caps adjusted perfectly on their heads. Every morning they line up for the roll call. These ‘Green Friends’ are part of the solid waste management program supported by ACC Cement – Madukkarai.

Madukkarai, a small town at the tip of the country, is in the Guinness Book of World Records for the largest recycling lesson in the world. With the help of around 50 women, who are now called ‘Green Friends’, and a simple, scalable model, this town is leading the way for efficient waste management. #SwachhBharat

While most of us find someone to put the blame on, Madukkarai decided to take control in their own hands. The town has 8,000 households and a population of 42,000. 82% of the homes hand over garbage to ‘Green Friends’ every day. 1,440 tonnes of garbage is collected annually from the town of 18 wards and 107 streets.

There is a lot that we can learn from Madukkarai. One of the most disturbing realities that we face, despite which part of the country we reside in, is the similar dirt everywhere – garbage piled up on roadside, drains clogged with plastic bags and dogs chewing on the leftover food we have callously thrown on the streets.

We keep our homes clean; make sure that the floors are mopped every day. But why do we not share the same sentiment for our surroundings? We hardly realize that the street outside our home is as much ours as is anybody else’s. We are the ones who use these roads every day to commute. Madukkarai realized this and the importance of a clean environment for our health and well-being.

Guinness Book of World Records for the largest recycling lesson in the world

‘Green Friends’ collect household wastes in eight different bins for wet waste, kitchen waste, plastic waste, etc. This is then disposed in large bins kept in several parts of the town. Trucks pick up this waste daily and take it to the resource recovery park where the garbage is recycled.

The treatment center segregates the different types of wastes. The kitchen waste is converted into fertilizers and given to farmers at extremely low prices to use in cultivation of their crops. The plastic waste is processed to be used in the construction of roads, and also at the large ACC factory where it is used as fuel at high temperatures which does not even cause pollution.

Due to the efforts of ‘Green Friends’, the citizens of Madukkarai, and the municipality, there has been a 60% reduction in landfill waste over the span of three years. There has also been a 50% reduction in the vehicle movement to the landfill sites, 85% of organic waste is converted successfully into vermin compost, ample reduction in the use of fossil fuels, reduction in greenhouse gas emission to 60%, and substantial decrease in the spread of malaria and dengue among the people. Furthermore, barren lands provided for compost yard have been successfully converted into fully functional organic compost yard and non-recyclable waste is used as an alternative energy source for the cement industry.

Madukkarai’s citizens have also become more environment-friendly, with 30% of the households segregating the organic-recyclable waste at home.

What we can learn

Madukkarai has paved the way to the sustainable development of our world. They have shown us that is not impossible to keep our environment clean. All we need is to inculcate in us a concern for mother Earth. It is commendable that ACC is supporting Madukkarai in its venture and helping it stay clean.

We, as citizens of other towns, cities, villages and states in India, have a lot to learn from Madukkarai. We too can have a healthier life if only we care enough and practice our civil duties proudly.